Disperse the Light

The Media Arts Show runs June 19-21 at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s Golda Meir Library. Poster by Talan Memmott.

Now, when almost all writing is done digitally and when easy-to-use tools empower anybody with a socket to “make stuff,” the Electronic Literature Organization asks: what makes us different? Fifty responses to that question by artists from around the world converge for eighteen hours of live, on-site access at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s Golda Meir Library. Many of these works are not available in a browser: whether its a program exploring the expressive potential of pi, or a motion-based story you make via Kinect, a MIDI sound mixer, a tablet and a computer, or a “Vniverse” that fits in your pocket: many of the works we’re exhibiting can’t be accessed in a browser. Visit the Media Arts Show in the Digital Humanities Lab 9AM-5PM Thursday and Friday June 19 and 20; 10-12noon Saturday June 21. Description of all works and linked access to browser-based art will be permanently archived on the ELO14 website for the conference HOLD THE LIGHT.

The Media Arts Show is free and open to the public.

Artists from France, Poland, Australia, Denmark, Norway, Canada, Ireland, Slovakia, Hong Kong, Russia, the United Kingdom, Italy, and the United States will exhibit work. Artists will be on-site for two Media Arts Demo Sessions Thursday June 19 2PM-3:30 and Friday June 20th 9AM-10:30. They’ll talk informally with guests as guests wander the floor and interact with their works. Demo sessions are free and open to the public.

Evenings of Performance will start at 7:30PM Wednesday at the Hilton Doubletree, Thursday at the Golda Meir Library and Friday at the Doubletree. Evening shows are free and open to the public. Schedule of performers is forthcoming.

We who are steeped in “Acid Free Bits” understand more than most the ephemerality of digital art. This show is a stay against that, a moment we’ll stretch to accommodate our passion for literary discovery and play. An aubade.

Dozens of new electronic literature writers answered my call for submissions to the Gallery of E-Lit 1st Encounters. A warm welcome to all who submitted; artists from Mexico, Italy, Germany, Australia and the U.S. submitted work that captured the attention of the jurors. These works will be featured on one machine at the Media Arts Show and permanently archived on the ELO14 website.

Many people at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee who’d not previously been involved with ELO have unstintingly offered their expertise, time and resources. Ann Hanlon of the DH Lab secured ideal physical settings for the show and procured all of the equipment we borrowed, from computers to partitions to high-frequency microphone receptors, display tables, HD monitors and power strips. She and Matt Russell have championed this show. Without them it wouldn’t have been possible. Thank you, Ann and Matt, for being ideal partners.

Thanks also to ELO President Dene Grigar, who taught me about curating and brings e-literature to a broad audience, and ELO14 Program Committee co-chairs Sandy Baldwin and Marjorie Luesebrink, with whom I’m honored to work. Finally I commend and thank our host at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Stuart Moulthrop, whose acumen and goodwill helmed this year-long endeavor.